Holy Spirit Encyclical (cont'd) - Part III -Section 1, paragraph 49

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today we begin Part III of St. JPII’s Encyclical with paragraph 49:

**PART III - THE SPIRIT WHO GIVES LIFE

1. Reason for the Jubilee of the Year 2000: Christ Who Was Conceived of the Holy Spirit**

1. The Church’s mind and heart turn to the Holy Spirit as this twentieth century draws to a close and the third Millennium since the coming of Jesus Christ into the world approaches, and as we look toward the great Jubilee with which the Church will celebrate the event. For according to the computation of time this coming is measured as an event belonging to the history of man on earth. The measurement of time in common use defines years, centuries and millennia according to whether they come before or after the birth of Christ. But it must also be remembered that for us Christians this event indicates, as St. Paul says, the "fullness of time,"193 because in it human history has been wholly permeated by the “measurement” of God himself: a transcendent presence of the “eternal now.” He “who is, who was, and who is to come”; he who is "the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."194 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."195 "When the time had finally come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman…so that we might receive adoption as sons."196 And this Incarnation of the Son-Word came about “by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

The two Evangelists to whom we owe the narrative of the birth and infancy of Jesus of Nazareth express themselves on this matter in an identical way. According to Luke, at the Annunciation of the birth of Jesus, Mary asks: “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” and she receives this answer: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you: therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God."197

Matthew narrates directly: "Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit."198 Disturbed by this turn of events, Joseph receives the following explanation in a dream: "Do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."199

Thus from the beginning the Church confesses the mystery of the Incarnation, this key-mystery of the faith, by making reference to the Holy Spirit. The Apostles’ Creed says: “He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.” Similarly, the Nicene- Constantinopolitan Creed professed: “By the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.”

"By the power of the Holy Spirit" there became man he whom the Church, in the words of the same Creed, professes to be the Son, of the same substance as the Father: “God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God; begotten, not made.” He was made man by becoming “incarnate from the Virgin Mary.” This is what happened when “the fullness of time had come.”

St. John Paul II gives us so much – it is as if, in reading the words, we become bathed in the Light of Christ! As if the Trinity which is shining within the stillness of our own hearts cannot be contained but bursts forth. Truly we know Jesus said: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” (Mt. 5: 14 - 16) Do we believe Jesus IS the Truth? Do we live the Truth we hear?

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful. Kindle in us the Fire of Your Love. Purify us, renew us, that we may be Light!
Mary, Mother of the Church, pray with us, and for us.